Magic 104, Spurs 100

October 21, 2012

Outside of the Dwight Howard saga, there may have not been a more highly discussed topic among Magic fans last season than who should backup Jameer Nelson at point guard.

Former reserve Chris Duhon received a lot of criticism for his performance coming off the bench and outsiders clamored for Orlando to find a suitable replacement.

This offseason, the team re-signed Ish Smith and added E’Twaun Moore into the fold in order to give Magic Head Coach Jacque Vaughn three viable options at the position.

While Smith has been recovering from shoulder surgery, Moore has risen to the occasion and been a source of both quality offense and floor leadership.

On Sunday night, backing up Nelson, Moore came off the pine to notch 14 points and eight assists, while committing zero turnovers.

“His strengths are coming out more so than weaknesses,” Vaughn said of Moore. “At the same time tonight, I was very encouraged at his ability to get us organized, and that’s a development for him and he’s done a good job.”

If Moore continues to develop at this rate, don’t expect to hear too many debates about who should be the squad’s second floor general this season.

“That was a special feeling," said Magic Head Coach Jacque Vaughn on coaching against the Spurs. "It makes you think about the time you spent with those guys. There are guys on that team that I played with, guys on that team that I coached, staffs that I was in a lot of meetings with trying to get plans together in the playoffs. You think back on what is basketball all about, and for me, it is that right there. That they know that I care for them and I hope and I try to get our players into a position where they understand how much I care about them, so it was pretty special."

Won't be the last time he leads them in scoring. MT @orlando_magic Final: Magic 104, Spurs 100. @nicholaf44 led Orlando with 18 points.